Arsenal’s summer transfer business has seen them sign three players so far, with another two on the way.
For a combined total of £73m, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White all arrived in north London to bolster Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad before the new Premier League season started.
And as reported by football.london, they will soon be joined at Arsenal by attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard (£29m) and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (an initial £24m) thus taking their spending past the £100m mark.
With that said, there could be space for one more signing between now and deadline day on August 31.
While it’s likely that any further recruitment will be focused on the right back and centre forward positions, some Arsenal fans think signing another creative midfielder should be the priority.
It just so happens that links to Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar have resurfaced in recent days.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last summer, but the Gunners were eventually priced out of a deal as Lyon were reportedly demanding £53million.
But recently, according to The Sun, the asking price is even lower with Lyon willing to accept as little as €20million (£17million) this summer.
If Aouar were to join the Gunners, supporters will be looking forward to seeing the Frenchman holding the Arsenal shirt at his unveiling – but what squad number could the playmaker take at the Emirates Stadium?
Well, since breaking into the first-team picture at Lyon, Aouar has worn numbers 8, 14, 16, and 25 on the back of his shirt.
(Image: Getty Images)
At Arsenal, the incumbent 14, 16 and 25 are captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny respectively.
And judging by the last two seasons and Aouar’s history with the France U21’s, his dream shirt number is ‘8’.
Interestingly, the No.8 shirt is currently vacant at Arsenal following Dani Ceballos’ return to Real Madrid and judging by the responses below, that is being reserved for Aouar if he joins this summer.
@CryptoK00137234 said: “It makes sense now. #Odegaard no 11 and #Aouar no 8. Those are the numbers left.”
@AFC_GLEN said: “Odegaard 11, Aouar 8.”
@AFCTeef_ said: “Odegaard, Shirt number 11, Aouar, Shirt number 8 please @Arsenal.”
@OutKse said: “If Ø is given the number 8 all my hopes of Aouar are gone.”
Of course, such plans will be spoiled if the no.8 shirt is given to Odegaard once his deal is completed.
Furthermore, it remains to be seen if the Gunners will still be interested in Aouar once the Odegaard deal is confirmed, but they may never get a better chance to sign the 23-year-old.
However, what may encourage Arsenal fans is that Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Gunners – as well as north London rivals Tottenham – are in contact with the Frenchman’s agent.
The transfer window is in full swing and things are beginning to ramp up with Edu and Mikel Arteta’s dealings at the Emirates.
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“Aouar is a player they (Arsenal) love. They like Aouar. They are still waiting to see what happens with Lyon,” Romano said when speaking on The Arsenal Lounge.
“It is a completely different situation when they wanted the player last summer, but it was not easy to find an agreement with the player and Lyon at the end of the window.
“But now he could still be an opportunity for Arsenal and for Tottenham. They are both in contact with his agent.
“So, they are still looking at the situation, and if Lyon will give the green light in the coming days, he could become an option for Arsenal too.”